Terry Ireland Poet Rhyme

Eighty Years On

Back on the beaches of Normandy
The old men are assembled there
On walking sticks or Zimmer frames
Some  confined  to their wheelchair,
This diminishing band of heroes,
Survivors from eighty years before
Who by ship, parachute and glider
Were transported to the horror of war.

Now sitting with a quiet dignity to
Remember the beginning of the end 
The blood, pain,  swear and tears 
The loss of  comrade and friend.
For many maybe the last chance
To visit  those beaches again
This slowly dwindling band
Of valiant and proud old men.

They are there to receive tribute
For the sacrifice so many made,
To appear before a grateful world
On this their maybe last Parade.
Many years ago a promise spoken
Which has been faithfully met
For your suffering and sacrifice
We  pledge again we’ll not forget.

6th June 1944 nearly 160 thousand allied troops landed on the  beaches at Normandy to start the beginning of the end of WW2 in Europe.  The largest Naval invasion in history.
In addition more landed by glider and parachute.
D-Day had begun.

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David Smith June 17, 2024 at 1:31 AM This poem feels so right, with the focus appropriately adjusted and narrative does justice to topic. Not easy to bring elements of a story like this together in a respectful yet realistic portrayal of actual people and events they lived through. thank you Terry from Did in NZ Terry Ireland June 20, 2024 at 12:35 AM Thanks David. I had the honour of writing this to read out at a D-Day80 Memorial Ceremony. A very moving event.